Miami Book Fair International 2012: Best Food Authors

It's your month, hungry literati. Tom Wolfe kicked off Miami Book Fair International last night, and many great authors are in town. Some of them will speak about food during the event, which stretches from November 11 through 18 at Miami Dade College's Wolfson campus in downtown Miami. This year marks the 29th year the fair has flourished, which just goes to show that the city has embraced and promoted its love affair with books, stellar programs, and special activities. We may be lacking in ballot-counting, but we sure know how to dazzle with the best book fair in the nation.

"Who Is in the Kitchen" is the newest program to be added to the roster of events. It will highlight cookbooks and feature chefs dishing up deliciousness in the Wine Theatre at MDC's state-of-the-art Culinary Institute, at 415 NE Second Ave.

Saturday, November 17, at noon, Hiroko Shimbo, author of Hiroko's American Kitchen, will demonstrate how to integrate Japanese flavors, cooking techniques, and staples into the American kitchen.

At 2 p.m., Anne Byrn, author of Unbelievevably Gluten-Free: Dinner Dishes You Never Thought You'd Be Able to Eat Again, will share her thoughts. At 4 p.m., Raquel Roque, author of Cocina Latina, will bring global Latin American recipes to South Florida.

Sunday, November 18, at noon, Maricel Presilla, author of Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America, will have more than 500 recipes form Mexico to Argentina and all the Spanish-speaking countries of the Caribbean. At 3 p.m., Liz Gutman and Jen King, authors of The Liddabit Sweets Candy Cookbook: How to Make Truly Scrumptious Candy in Your Own Kitchen, will appear. At 4:30 p.m., Yvan Lemoine, author of Comidas USA, will feature his culinary journey and homemade meals from America.

In room 6100 (Building 6, first floor), chefs will discuss and sell their cookbooks. No tickets are required for the free panel discussions.

Saturday, November 17, at 11 a.m., Julia Ross will talk about The Diet Cure: The 8-Stop Program to Rebalance Your Body Chemistry and End Food Cravings, Weight Gain and Mood Swings. At 12:30 p.m., Maricel Presilla and Raquel Roque will return.

At 2 p.m., Miami's very own chef, Norman Van Aken, and his son Justin Van Aken will talk about their latest book, My Key West Kitchen: Recipes and Stories. "My Key West Kitchen is a culinary love letter to Key West," Norman Van Aken says. At 3:30 p.m., Alex Hitz will present My Beverly Hills Kitchen: Classic Southern Cooking With a French Twist, followed by Miami pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith, who will talk about her latest book, Baking Out Loud: Fun Desserts With Big Flavors.

Sunday, November 18, at noon, Heather McPherson will present "Field to Feast: Recipes Celebrating Florida Farmers, Chefs, and Artisans." Liz Gutman, Jen King, and Yvan Lemoine will return to discuss their books. At 2 p.m., Seamus Mullen presents "Hero Food: How Cooking With Delicious Things Can Make Us Feel Better." Shimbo and Van Aken will also be present.